Looking out the window and driving around our neighborhood, you would never know fires are burning around the region. Fortunately, there is no particular risk to our neighborhoods, except perhaps a potential power outage, a local Fire Station captain told the Buzz last night. If you’re like us, though, you might be wondering what can we do to help those in the effected areas and our first responders. This morning, LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas had a suggestion.
At his morning press conference on the status of the Getty Fire, Chief Terrazas invited anyone who wants to support the fire department to make a donation to the LAFD Foundation. Terrazas explained how the foundation recently provided funds to purchase equipment the fire fighters are using now to fight this fire. He said last night that firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to find hot spots and night vision googles to help make nighttime water drops. And today, fire fighters are now equipped with hydration backpacks, all thanks to additional funds raised through the foundation.
Locally, we checked in with Hancock Park resident Lyn MacEwen Cohen, founder of the First-In Fire Foundation, which provides supports to fire stations at the grassroots level.
“We connect citizens with their local fire station,” said Cohen. Fire-In Fire recently replanted the garden at Fire Station 29 with support for other neighborhood groups.
Cohen sadi she was just in touch this morning with a captain from Fire Station 76, who has just been deployed to the Getty Fire. He was getting back to Cohen on her offer to install a swamp cooler in station’s exercise room.
“He’d just been deployed to assist with the Getty Fire and we are working with him to make improvements to the station,” said Cohen, “That’s how close our connection is to the people fighting this fire. I told him, ‘we have your back.’ I think anything we can do to help support our local firefighters is so important, and it really helps us too.”
“For me, it’s an honor to do this work,” said Cohen.
